Chapter 165 May I ask Lord Zhao, what is your strategy?
Chapter 165: Mr. Zhao, what do you think of the ten strategies?
Is it him? Zhao Duan was stunned for a moment, with surprise on his face. He squinted his eyes to look at the uninvited guest and said:
"So it's Master Han. What a coincidence. Is the master's home nearby?"
Inside the carriage, the Great Yu "Wang Anshi", who was known as the "first talent" and had shined in Xiuwen Hall not long ago, smiled and said:
"Your Excellency, there is no need to test me. After I left the embassy, I deliberately followed your Majesty's carriage, with the purpose of serving you.
It is noon now, and I happen to know a good restaurant nearby. I wonder if you would be willing to pay me a visit?"
For me? Zhao Duan raised his eyebrows and nodded happily:
"it is good."
……
Russian qing.
In an elegantly decorated restaurant, Zhao Duan and Han Zhou were led by the owner into a separate private room.
The restaurant is not very big, it has a quiet feel in a bustling city, the style is good and the prices are also reasonable.
When Zhao Duan entered the room, he saw that most of the guests here were dressed as scholars, so he knew that this was a place where scholars often gathered.
"Please come in, Envoy Zhao."
Han Zhou was obviously a regular customer. After inviting him to join the table, the two of them exchanged pleasantries and ordered some food and drinks.
This box is not furnished with tables and chairs, but is instead furnished with mats and low tables.
Sitting cross-legged when drinking is a popular fashion among scholars in the capital.
Zhao Duan saw that he behaved properly and smiled:
"I have long heard of Mr. Han's name. But I never thought that you would invite me to dinner."
Han Zhou, who was about thirty years old, had a very scholarly air, and his hair was neatly combed behind his head. He smiled, first adjusted his crown, then straightened his robe sleeves - after leaving Xiuwen Hall, he changed back into his Confucian robe.
Then he took the initiative to pick up the wine jug, filled Zhao Duan's glass, and said with a smile:
"Envoy Zhao is well-known in the capital. Seeing is worse than hearing. We are officials in the same court. I ate the pears from you before, so I should treat you back."
Hypocrisy... Zhao Duan shook his head and said:
"Famous... or rather infamous. I heard that many scholars in the Imperial Academy hate me to death and call me a traitor to the country. Scholar Han, aren't you afraid that if you get close to me, your reputation will be tarnished?"
He was born into a poor family and studied hard by living frugally. That year, there was heavy snow and the mountains were blocked. As there was no rice to cook, he used tree branches to divide a bowl of cold porridge into three portions and ate it for three days. He changed his name and took the single character "Zhou".
He was the top scholar who, having witnessed the famine-stricken people everywhere, was determined to ensure that everyone in the world could have white porridge to fill their stomachs every day.
The Hanlin editor, whose literary reputation spread far and wide and whose poetry and prose were outstanding, was regarded by the scholars of the time as a man of great talent with the potential to be a prime minister, and his bearing was as magnanimous as the spring breeze.
He was not at all upset by these overly straightforward words, but instead said in a gentlemanly manner:
"Now that Han has entered the museum, why should he care about his reputation?"
Zhao Duan chewed over these words, his gaze falling on the face of this pillar of society nicknamed Banshan.
Han Zhou didn't dodge or avoid, his eyes were clear with a hint of self-mockery.
He clearly looks like a weak scholar, but he exudes a tough edge.
Zhao Duan understood the meaning of these words, and thus became slightly interested in this alien version of Wang Anshi.
Frankly speaking, Zhao Duan read history in his previous life and had complicated feelings towards literati.
On the one hand, these ancient highly educated classes were indeed an important pillar supporting the operation of society, and many of them produced figures who left their names in history.
On the other hand, his indifference to the world outside, his out-of-touch style, and his almost perverted desire for fame are truly annoying.
How can one maintain an unblemished reputation in this world?
It's very simple, just do nothing.
As long as you sit back and talk, point fingers at others, and concentrate on criticizing others, a good reputation will come naturally.
If you do nothing, you won't make mistakes.
Those who actually do things will inevitably be criticized. The bigger the things they do, the more mistakes they will make, the more interest groups they will affect, and the more abuse and attacks they will receive.
The meaning of Han Zhou's words is very clear. He entered Xiuwenguan to "do things."
If you want to get things done, you will inevitably offend a lot of people.
In order to accomplish their goals, they even sacrificed innocent people, had their hands stained with blood, and bore eternal infamy... That's why it is said that once you have entered the museum, you don't care about your reputation.
Since your reputation will be ruined sooner or later, why bother?
"Haha, that's a great point," Zhao Duan laughed, raised his hand to pick up the wine cup that the other party pushed over, raised his head and drank it all in one gulp:
“Drink this wine.”
In the private room.
The breeze blows in from the window, bamboos are placed in the corners, and calligraphy and paintings of mountains and rivers are hung on the walls...
There are two people sitting cross-legged, drinking and eating, with distinct temperaments, one is a civil official and the other is a "military general".
The atmosphere was tense and stiff at first, but as Zhao Duan drank the wine, it suddenly relaxed. "So," Zhao Duan put down the empty cup and said with a smile:
"Master Han invited me to drink, but his intentions were not pure."
Han Zhou was curious: "How is it impure?"
Zhao Duan looked self-aware and said with a smile:
"I have always had a bad impression of scholars. After much thought, the only value of Han Xueshi is that he is more efficient and closer to His Majesty.
I have also listened to the ten strategies proposed by Scholar Han. He is highly regarded by Grand Tutor Dong and surpasses many other scholars in one fell swoop. I think I am right when I say that he is very ambitious.
But if you want to do something and carry out your plan, you must first obtain the support of your Majesty and secondly find someone who can help you do it. I think I have both of these. May I ask, Master, am I right?"
Even though his thoughts were exposed, Han Zhou was not embarrassed and remained humble as always:
"Your Excellency is indeed thoughtful, but I, Han, am not straightforward enough."
admitted.
Obviously, other scholars were still proud of their status and maintained a lofty attitude, and were unwilling to associate with cruel officials like Zhao Duan.
Han Zhou has already humbled himself and tried to win over Zhao Duan and bring him into his camp.
This alone made Zhao Duan look at this scholar in a different light.
"However, I, Han, invite you to drink, not just to make friends," Han Zhou continued.
"Oh?" This time it was Zhao Duan's turn to be curious.
Han Zhou picked up the wine pot and poured him another cup, then said:
"Before, when we were discussing state affairs in the hall, the envoy sat in the corner the whole time. Although he did not say a word, it seemed to me that the envoy had different opinions on what we were discussing.
Especially, when Han gave his advice and presented the "Ten Strategies", I saw that the envoy seemed to... not agree."
Zhao Duan was carefree, enjoying the other party's "service", squinting his eyes and said:
"How can Scholar Han be so sure that I don't agree with him?"
Han Zhou said:
“Perhaps, some people may think that Envoy Zhao was just listening and did not understand what we were discussing.
But Han has studied for more than 20 years. Although he is not as good as others in other aspects, he still has the ability to tell whether a person understands or pretends to understand.
Therefore, I, Han, would like to hear your opinion on my "Ten Strategies".
Haha, listening to your opinions is fake, and what you really want is to convince me to agree with you... Zhao Duan said with a half-smile.
Han Zhou obviously wanted to get him on board and help him win in the formulation of the new policy.
Therefore, we must first convince him strategically.
Given his knowledge and confidence in the Ten Strategies, he obviously did not think that Zhao Duan could come up with any strong rebuttal.
He could guess that Han Zhou's script should be like this:
First, let Zhao Duan express his opinion in the name of asking for advice.
Then, Han Zhou explained them one by one, using his words to give Zhao Duan, a martial artist, a small shock on the cognitive level.
As long as Zhao Duan is convinced and agrees to the ten strategies, it will be equivalent to winning over a powerful foreign aid.
pity……
You got the wrong person.
Zhao Duan sighed softly, shook his head in his heart, and looked at the other person with some pity in his eyes.
I thought you finally asked the right person...
"Do you really want to listen?"
Zhao Duan had a strange expression on his face, and he felt a little reluctant to destroy the other person's heart.
After all, it was quite cruel to crush the confidence of the most talented man in the capital just because of a few words from me... After all, Mr. Zhao was not a bad person.
Han Zhou didn't know that he was facing a wall hanging, and he still smiled gracefully:
"Your Excellency, please feel free to speak up. If you don't explain, the truth will be unclear. I also want to hear your opinions to fix the loopholes."
It was you who insisted on bringing humiliation upon yourself... Zhao Duan sighed softly and said reluctantly:
"In that case, let me briefly tell you about your ten strategies."
Han Zhou smiled and listened quietly.
But the next second, his smile froze on his face.
Zhao Duan sneered and commented:
"Ten Strategies to Strengthen the Country? It's just a strategy that will lead to the country's downfall. In my opinion, it's worse than dog shit."
(End of this chapter)